New!New!http://www.mhselfhelp.org/news-and-alerts/2015-02-27T20:56:57ZSquarespaceAlternatives 2015 Seeks Volunteers!http://www.mhselfhelp.org/news-and-alerts/2015/2/27/alternatives-2015-seeks-volunteers.htmlIT Department2015-02-27T20:54:54Z2015-02-27T20:54:54ZPeerlink National Technical Assistance Center is seeking volunteers for the Alternatives 2015 Planning Committees. For more information and to apply for one or more of the committees, click here.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2015 Cooperative Agreements for Project LAUNCH State/Tribal Expansion. The purpose of this program is to expand the implementation of Project LAUNCH systems improvement and wellness promotion/ prevention services into new communities within states and tribes that have completed a Project LAUNCH five-year grant. The goals of this expansion grant are to...

"In September 2011, the Center for Social Innovation (C4) was contracted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to operate the Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS), which promotes widespread adoption of recovery-oriented supports, services, and systems for people with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and/or co-occurring disorders.

To support BRSS TACS’s efforts to bring recovery-oriented policies, practices, and infrastructure developments to scale within the context of health reform, C4 is requesting capabilities statements from Peer-Run Organizations/Recovery Community Organizations (PRO/RCOs) to carry out health reform education efforts specific to PRO/RCOs and individuals with addiction and mental health needs."

]]>Two Events to Be Hosted by the Clearinghousehttp://www.mhselfhelp.org/news-and-alerts/2014/12/12/two-events-to-be-hosted-by-the-clearinghouse.htmlIT Department2014-12-12T17:37:56Z2014-12-12T17:37:56ZPlease join us on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at 1 p.m. ET, for our monthly national networking teleconference, and on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at 2 p.m. ET, for a webinar on psychiatric advance directives. Please see the details below, in chronological order.

On Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at 1 p.m. ET, noon CT, 11 a.m. MT, 10 a.m. PT, the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse will host its monthly national technical assistance and networking teleconference, facilitated by Clearinghouse director Susan Rogers. The call-in number is 866-906-0123; the pass code is 5037195#. If you would like to suggest an agenda item, please e-mail Susan Rogers srogers@mhasp.org with "Agenda" in the subject line. The purpose of the calls is for consumer/survivor/ex-patient activists from around the U.S. to acquire and share information, and "network." In addition, if you plan to participate, even if you don't want to suggest an agenda item it would be helpful if you would email Susan Rogers atsrogers@mhasp.org; this will make it easier to provide participants with teleconference minutes. Thanks! One more reminder: If you are participating in the call, please do not put the call on "hold" for any reason, because that will put EVERYONE on hold! If you need to leave the call for a few minutes, just leave your phone on mute (*6 both mutes and unmutes your phone) and come back when you're ready. Join us! If you would like a copy of any of the available previous minutes (beginning with July 2013), please email srogers@mhasp.org. Looking forward to talking with you Monday!

The Clearinghouse is sponsoring a 90-minute webinar on Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) on Dec. 18, 2014, at 2 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. CT, noon MT, 11 a.m. PT, 9 a.m. in Hawaii. The webinar, entitled "Psychiatric Advance Directives: Why and How to Use this Vital Recovery Tool," will feature presentations by Sue Walther, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania, and Adam Nester, public policy manager at the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania. PADs are a legal health care tool that outlines the preferences of an individual with a mental health condition in regard to treatment, and designates a trusted advocate to make decisions on their behalf if they are incapacitated. This webinar will help individuals with a mental health condition, family members, and mental health providers to understand and utilize this important recovery tool. For more information or to register, click here.]]>The Center for Dignity, Recovery and Empowerment: Fellowship Programs Call for Nominationshttp://www.mhselfhelp.org/news-and-alerts/2014/12/8/the-center-for-dignity-recovery-and-empowerment-fellowship-p.htmlIT Department2014-12-08T17:21:41Z2014-12-08T17:21:41Zhttp://www.dignityandrecoverycenter.org/fellowship-programs/

Fellowship Programs

Call For NominationsWe are pleased to solicit nominations for the Center for Dignity Recovery and Empowerment Fellowship Program funded by counties through the California Mental Health Authority (CalMHSA). 25 fellowships will be awarded to emerging leaders in the field of mental health and recovery from the U.S. and abroad.

Eligibility: Passionate, emerging leaders who utilize innovative approaches to mobilize/contribute to their communities for the advancement of mental health wellness, emphasizing dignity, recovery and empowerment. Leaders should currently be working on or piloting specific projects that address positive wellness and recovery in their community (e.g. mental health stigma reduction, suicide prevention, culturally responsive practices, spirituality). They will need to commit to this project for one year under the mentorship of prominent leaders in the field and with the support of other fellows*.

Criteria:

1-3 years of experience working in the field of mental health and recovery;

Demonstrated leadership initiative and skills

Demonstrated capacity and local opportunity

Current involvement on a specific project they have developed or are working on that demonstrates an innovative and unique approach for solving existing mental health-related issues in their community. Involvement on newly proposed pilot projects (to be developed during time frame with the support of an organization) also meets this requirement.

Description of the Fellowship Program: The Center’s one-year leadership development program preparesemerging community leaders to become transformational leaders, creating significant and innovative improvements within their communities related to mental health wellness and recovery.

Selected fellows will participate in:

Tools for Change Forum 2015. The program will be a one day pre-conference forum on February 17, 2015 and prior to the International Together against Stigma Conference being held February 18- 20 2015 in San Francisco. Through a series of interactive workshops, small group work and a workshop presentation during the two-day conference, fellows will: 1) strengthen their leadership skills in such areas as advocacy, system change, and community engagement; 2) work on leadership strategy for activating their communities in regard to their specific projects; and 3) establish networks and mentor/mentee relationships with prominent leaders in the field of mental health and recovery.

Project implementation under the mentorship of established leaders. As a follow-up, fellows will work with prominent mentors over the course of the year to implement their specific projects to enhance and reach the wider community, while also involving and collaborating with other change agents in their communities.

Community of Practice. Using social media, webinars and e-learning activities, fellows will share findings, successes and challenges of their respective projects.

*Individuals representing or working in diverse, unserved and/or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

]]>Join the Clearinghouse for a webinar on Dec 18, 2014 at 2:00 PM EST.http://www.mhselfhelp.org/news-and-alerts/2014/11/19/join-the-clearinghouse-for-a-webinar-on-dec-18-2014-at-200-p.htmlIT Department2014-11-19T16:55:13Z2014-11-19T16:55:13ZPsychiatric Advance Directives: Why and How to Use this Vital Recovery Tool

PADs are a legal health care tool that outlines the preferences of an individual with a mental health condition in regard to treatment, and designates a trusted advocate to make decisions on their behalf if they are incapacitated. This webinar will help individuals with a mental health condition, family members, and mental health providers to understand and utilize this important recovery tool.

The webinar will feature presentations by Sue Walther, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania, and Adam Nester, public policy manager at the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Topics that will be covered include how to complete a PAD for yourself or with a family member or service participant, and providing greater clarity to individuals with mental health conditions and trusted advocates (often family members) as to their roles in advance mental health care planning.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

]]>UPDATE: Peer Specialist Training and Certification Programs: A National Overview - 2014 Updatehttp://www.mhselfhelp.org/news-and-alerts/2014/10/1/update-peer-specialist-training-and-certification-programs-a.htmlIT Department2014-10-01T18:26:35Z2014-10-01T18:26:35ZUpdated report of programs to train and certify peer specialists across the country. Compiled by the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health.

THIS FRIDAY

Lyn, a nationally known presenter and consultant, has collaborated on the development of several curricula aimed at increasing peoples’ awareness and confidence in supporting this important area of recovery.

Join Lyn Legere this Friday as she explores important emerging roles for peer supporters. Supported employment and education is rapidly gaining attention as systems transform to a recovery orientation.

Lyn’s presentations are always fascinating, informative and full of good humor.

If you have not previously participated in one of our webinars (made possible through the generous assistance of Optum Behavioral Health Services) please log in about ten minutes early to be certain you have downloaded the proper software. If you have not, you will be prompted to do so. The download is quick, free and easy!!!